The CFL season is halfway through, and it’s time for the mid-season special teams power rankings! Who’s exceeding expectations, and whose seat is getting hot? Let’s break down how the CFL special teams units performed in this week’s review;
Kickers
Kicker of the Week - Sergio Castillo (WPG)
Kickers have struggled over the last few weeks, and that trend continued into Week 12. Collectively, they made 25 of their 30 field goal attempts, a completion rate of just 83%. Notably, there were 3 field goals over 50 yards, including new season longs for several kickers. There was also a controversial game-winning rouge! After missing their first PAT in over 75 attempts last week, kickers returned to form, making all 12 of their PATs this week. Here are the CFL Week 12 Kicker Power Rankings;
Standouts;
- Sergio Castillo (WPG) went 4/4 on field goal attempts in Winnipeg’s win over Hamilton. He also made both his PATs, scoring 14 of the Bombers’ 26 total points. Castillo improved his long-range stats, with 3 of his field goal attempts being beyond 40 yards. His second PAT of the night made it a 3-point game, forcing his opponents to march down the field in an attempt to score a field goal just to tie the game. Castillo handled the Ti-Cat pressure extremely well and got enough air under his kicks to avoid having any blocked.
- Lirim Hajrullahu (TOR) completed 4 of his 5 field goal attempts this week, including a new season-long of 50 yards. He also made his lone convert. Hajrullahu had the opportunity to end the match with a game-winning 40-yard field goal but couldn’t put the ball between the goalposts. Luckily for the Argos, he kicked the ball hard enough to launch it through the endzone, resulting in a walk-off rouge!
- Brett Lauther (SSK) got back on track this week after a poor performance in Week 11, where he missed 4 of his 7 field goal attempts. He was perfect this week, making all 4 of his field goals and his lone PAT. Lauther attempted and made 3 field goals over 40 yards, including a long of 43 yards. This is a step in the right direction for a kicker who has been dealing with a bad case of the Yips in 2024.
Slip-ups;
- Boris Bede (EDM) made only 1 field goal in Edmonton’s 21-17 loss to Montreal. He attempted a 41-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter that sailed wide-right, keeping it a 4-point game. If he had made this field goal, the Elks could have easily won the game by setting him up for his first game-winning field goal of the season. Instead, they were forced to drive downfield in an attempt to score a touchdown. Bede’s completion percentage has now fallen below 75%, a significant drop from the over 90% success rate he had with Toronto in 2023. While I’ve always been a big Bede supporter, it might be time to elevate Dean Faithfull from the practice roster while Bede deals with an “injury” until their next Bye Week.
Punters
Punter of the Week - Jake Julien (EDM)
Punters averaged just 45.8 yards per punt this week, a dip from the over 48 yards per punt they averaged for the last 9 weeks. Only 12 punts (27%) travelled over 50 yards, the lowest percentage recorded all year. Punters averaged 36.8 net yards per punt, a slight improvement on the season average of 36.2 net yards per punt. There were 9 punts (20%) that remained inside the 20-yard line, including 3 that landed inside the 10-yard line. For the first time in 3 weeks, there were no rouges scored, and no punts travelled less than 30 yards. Here are the CFL Week 12 Punter Power Rankings;
Standouts;
- Jake Julien (EDM) kept James Letcher Jr. in check throughout the game, averaging 50.4 yards and 43 net yards across 7 punts. He is the only punter in the CFL consistently recording over 40 net yards per punt. Julien recorded 3 punts (43%) over 50 yards, bringing his season total to 41, accounting for over 64% of his total punts. He also recorded a punt inside the 10-yard line, his 20th punt inside the 20-yard line this season. He leads the CFL in nearly every punting category and is on track to finish the season as the league’s best punter.
- Nik Constantinou (HAM) had a solid game despite averaging just 43.1 yards and 35.1 net yards over 7 punts. While his averages weren’t as high as anticipated, his directional punting was on point, with 3 of his punts (43%) pinning his opponents deep inside the 20-yard line.
- Jamieson Sheahan (WPG) performed exceptionally well, punting 6 times for an average of 47 yards and an impressive 44.8 net yards. He had 1 punt (17%) go out of bounds inside the 10-yard line, and one of his punts was fumbled and subsequently recovered by a Winnipeg player for a touchdown. Sheahan has increased his season net average to 37.2 yards, the third highest in the CFL behind Julien and Haggerty.
Slip-ups;
- Adam Korsak (SSK) had a rough week, being forced to punt from his own endzone multiple times against Toronto. To make matters worse, he was punting to the league’s most explosive returner, Janarion Grant. Korsak averaged 46.9 yards and 34.9 net yards per punt over 8 attempts, slightly below his season averages. He received a facemask penalty while attempting to tackle Grant on a 48-yard punt return, ultimately recording a net of -23 yards.
- Lirim Hajrullahu (TOR) had to handle punting duties after John Haggerty went down with an injury during pregame warmups. If you were familiar with his punting performance with the USFL’s Philadelphia Stars in 2023, you knew exactly what I was worried about. Hajrullahu punted 6 times for an average of 42.3 yards and 33.2 net yards, a significant drop-off from what the Argos are used to with John Haggerty, one of the CFL’s best punters. He managed to keep 2 punts (33%) inside the 20-yard line but struggled to flip field position, with a long of just 48 yards. Hopefully, John Haggerty will be healthy for the Argos’ Labour Day Weekend game against the Ti-Cats.
Kickoff Specialists
Kickoff Specialist of the Week - Boris Bede (EDM)
Kickoff specialists averaged 66.7 yards across 28 attempts this week, slightly lower than the season average of 67.1 yards. There were 10 kickoffs (38%) that travelled more than 70 yards, including a long of 77 yards. Specialists kept 8 kickoffs (29%) inside the 30-yard line, closely matching the season average of 30%. There were no rouges scored on a kickoff play for the first time in three weeks, and no penalties for a kickoff out of bounds. Here are the CFL Week 12 Kickoff Specialist Power Rankings;
Standouts;
- Boris Bede (EDM) kicked off 3 times for a total of 222 yards, averaging 74 yards per attempt. All 3 of his kickoffs travelled more than 70 yards, and 2 (67%) were kept inside the 30-yard line. Bede continues to put the Elks in a favourable position after his kickoffs, forcing opposing offences to march 100 yards downfield to score a touchdown.
- Lirim Hajrullahu (TOR) kicked off 3 times, averaging 72.7 yards per kickoff, including a 77-yard kickoff, the longest of the week. He had 2 kickoffs (67%) travel more than 70 yards and another 2 remaining inside the 30-yard line, including a kickoff that was placed at the 8-yard line due to a Saskatchewan penalty.
- Sergio Castillo (WPG) also kicked off 3 times, averaging 71.7 yards per kickoff. He recorded 2 kickoffs (67%) of over 70 yards and kept 2 inside the 30-yard line.
Slip-ups;
- Stefan Flintoft (BC) recorded 3 kickoffs for an average of 64 yards per attempt. His 72-yard kickoff was the only attempt that travelled more than 70 yards. Flintoft struggled against Ottawa’s elite return unit, with DeVonte Dedmon returning every kick to at least the 40-yard line.
- Marc Liegghio (HAM) averaged just 61.5 yards per kickoff across 4 attempts, with a long of 64 yards. He kept only 1 kickoff (25%) inside the 30-yard line due to a holding penalty on the return team.
- Richie Leone (OTT) continues to struggle with kickoffs, averaging just 62.4 yards on 5 attempts, with a long of 65 yards. Only 1 of his kickoffs this season has travelled more than 70 yards, and he has kept just 5 kickoffs (14%) inside the 30-yard line. I have to wonder why the Redblacks are settling for this lack of production.
Long Snappers
Long Snapper of the Week - Jorgen Hus (SSK)
This week, there were 37 long snaps featured in the CFL highlights, including 26 field goal snaps and 11 punt snaps. With only 2 snaps recorded as off-mark, long snappers had a strike percentage of 95%, their highest since Week 1! One long snapper recorded a tackle this week, and 1 field goal was blocked. Here are the CFL Week 12 Long Snapper Power Rankings;
Standouts;
- Adam Guillemette (TOR) remains perfect on field goal snaps, adding another 4 strikes to his totals. He is one of just two long snappers who have yet to snap a bad ball during a field goal. Fortunately for Nick Arbuckle, the backup holder for the Argos while Haggerty is out with an injury, Guillemette’s snaps are about as perfect as can be.
- Mike Benson (WPG) had a great game, recording all 4 of his field goal snaps and his single punt snap as strikes. On the final PAT of the game, Benson put his body on the line for his kicker as 5 Ti-Cat players rushed up the middle in an attempt to block Castillo’s kick. None of them managed to get a hand on it, thanks to Benson’s superb blocking.
- Jorgen Hus (SSK) had 9 long snaps highlighted this week, the most from a single long snapper in any given week. All 4 of his field goal snaps and 5 of his punt snaps were recorded as strikes, boosting his total strike percentage to 89%. He continues to be a reliable blocker for Saskatchewan and is 1 of just 3 long snappers who haven’t had a punt or kick blocked.
Slip-ups;
- Riley Pickett (BC) had a rough game. Sean Whyte’s 48th consecutive field goal was blocked due to pressure up the middle, for which I believe Pickett was responsible. He also had a high field goal snap later in the game. With BC’s other long snapper, Kyle Nelson, suffering an injury during the game, we might see Pickett handling both field goal and punt snaps moving forward.
Kickoff Returners
Kickoff Returner of the Week - Dillon Mitchell (EDM)
There were 28 kickoff returns this week, with return specialists averaging 22 yards per return, slightly below the season average of 22.2 yards. Five returns (18%) exceeded 30 yards, including a 40-yard return, the longest of the week. No touchdowns or fumbles were recorded this week. Here are the CFL Week 12 Kickoff Returner Power Rankings;
Standouts;
- Dillon Mitchell (EDM) has emerged as Edmonton’s most productive kickoff returner. He averaged a Week 12 high of 27.7 yards over 3 kickoff returns, including a 40-yard return, the longest of the week.
- DeVonte Dedmon (OTT) continues to dominate as a kickoff returner, adding 53 yards to his totals over 2 returns. He averaged 26.5 yards per return, with a long of 32 yards.
- Sean Thomas-Erlington (MTL) handled kickoff return duties for Montreal this week, which wasn’t surprising. James Letcher Jr. excels as a punt returner but struggles on kickoffs. Sean Thomas-Erlington averaged 23.3 yards per return over 3 kickoffs, with a long of 35 yards.
Slip-ups;
- Janarion Grant (TOR) managed just 28 yards on 2 kickoff returns, averaging 14 yards per return.
- Lucky Whitehead (WPG) returned 3 kickoffs for a total of 46 yards, averaging 15.3 yards. Will Winnipeg ever find a returner who can break off a big one?
Punt Returners
Punt Returner of the Week - Janarion Grant (TOR)
There were 36 punt returns this week, with returners averaging 11.8 yards per return. Seven returns (19%) exceeded 15 yards, including a 48-yard return, the longest of the week. No touchdowns were scored, but there was a fumble that was not recovered by the returner. Here are the CFL Week 12 Punt Returner Power Rankings;
Standouts;
- Janarion Grant (TOR) returned 3 punts for a total of 67 yards, averaging 22.3 yards per return. His average was boosted by a 48-yard return, with an additional 15 yards tacked on due to a facemask penalty.
- Terry Williams (BC) returned 2 punts, averaging 21 yards per return, with a long of 37 yards.
- Galvin Cobb (EDM) delivered one of the most impressive performances of any returner this week, averaging 18.7 yards across 3 punt returns. He had 2 returns (67%) travel further than 15 yards, including a long of 27 yards.
Slip-ups;
- Jordan Byrd (HAM) was signed by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats earlier this week and was immediately thrown to the wolves. He returned 5 punts for a total of 45 yards, with a long of 36 yards. Outside of his longest return, which was significantly reduced due to a holding penalty by Hamilton, Byrd averaged just 2.3 yards per return. Unfortunately, he fumbled the ball during one of his returns, which was recovered by the opposition and returned for a touchdown.
Missed Field Goal Returners
Missed Field Goal Returner of the Week - James Letcher Jr. (MTL)
There were 3 missed field goal returns this week, totalling 65 yards. Only 1 rouge was conceded, and the longest return was 42 yards. Here are the CFL Week 12 Missed Field Goal Returner Power Rankings;
Standouts;
- James Letcher Jr. (MTL) fielded the ball 17 yards deep in the endzone and returned it 42 yards to the Montreal 25-yard line.
- DeVonte Dedmon (OTT) recovered the ball in the endzone after Sean Whyte’s field goal was blocked. He conceded a single but prevented the Lions from recovering the ball, allowing the Redblacks to start their next drive on the 40-yard line.
Slip-ups;
- Lucky Whitehead (WPG) fielded a missed field goal 11 yards deep in the endzone late in the fourth quarter. Despite the Bombers being down by just 1 point, he chose to bring the ball out to the 12-yard line. Conceding the single would have allowed his offence to start on the 40-yard line, shortening the field by 28 yards while still needing only a field goal to take the lead.
Coverage Teams
Coverage Team of the Week - The Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Coverage units performed decently this week, allowing an average of 16.3 yards across 64 returns. They allowed an average of 11.8 yards over 36 punt returns and 22 yards over 28 kickoff returns, aligning closely with the season averages of 11.4 yards and 22.3 yards, respectively. A single turnover and a blocked field goal were recorded. Here are the CFL Week 12 Coverage Team Power Rankings;
Standouts;
- The Winnipeg Blue Bombers allowed an average of just 8.8 yards on 6 punt returns and 24.7 yards on 3 kickoff returns. While they were penalized twice for a total of 25 yards, they also recorded their second turnover of the season by forcing a fumble during a punt return, which they recovered and returned for a touchdown.
- The Edmonton Elks allowed an average of just 7.9 yards on 7 punt returns and 23.3 yards on 3 kickoff returns. Notably, for the second time all season, they did not receive a single penalty this week.
Slip-ups;
- The Saskatchewan Roughriders struggled to contain Janarion Grant, allowing an average of 16.2 yards across 5 punt returns. They also received 2 penalties for a total of 23 yards and continue to lead the league in penalty yards, now sitting at 312 total penalty yards.
- The Hamilton Tiger-Cats received 3 penalties for a total of 33 yards. Over the last 4 games, they have incurred 13 special teams penalties for a total of 123 yards. Initially, McKnight was praised for his ability to whip the special teams unit into shape, but they’ve regressed significantly in the last month.
- The Montreal Alouettes struggled all game long, allowing an average of 16.6 yards across 5 punt returns and 27.7 yards over 3 kickoff returns. They also received 2 penalties for 13 yards, making this one of their worst performances of the season.
Individual Special Teams Tackles
Special Teams Player of the Week - Tony Jones (WPG)
There were 59 special teams tackles made in Week 12, slightly below the weekly average of 60 tackles. Special teams players received 7 penalties this week for a total of 46 yards, the lowest number of penalties all season. Here are the CFL Week 12 Special Teams Tackles Power Rankings;
Standouts;
- Tony Jones (WPG) forced a fumble on Jordan Byrd during a punt return, which was subsequently recovered by Michael Ayers and returned for a touchdown.
- Alexandre Gange (MTL) recorded 2 special teams tackles this week. The backup long snapper continues to prove his worth on coverage teams week in and week out.
- Cleyon Laing (OTT) was the Redblack who rushed past BC’s long snapper to block Sean Whyte’s field goal.
Slip-ups;
- Bailey Feltmate (WPG) was fortunate that his Unnecessary Roughness penalty was cancelled out by Hamilton’s James Tuck.
- James Tuck (HAM) got lucky too, with his Unnecessary Roughness penalty being cancelled out by Winnipeg’s Bailey Feltmate.
Do I have it right or is there something you would change? Please let me know what you think of the rankings down below!
